Let's get this party started

[Kris]

I got a letter this morning. A letter that said if you wanna have this job call me back as soon as possible!!!

Well, ok they put it in nicer words. It comes from the Court of appeal of Hessen afterall! lol Anyway...I have my place for my internship or residency or how ever you call it in english...'Referendariatsplatz' for the german girls here...and I'm so happy. I got exactly the city I applied for and they took me right in the first round. So NOT usual, I can tell you! I already thought I have to wait till November, but now I start at July 1st!!! *help*

So, I gotta find an apartment as fast as possible in Hanau, Hessen. I really hope I find something in less than four weeks. I don't wanna live in a hotel while I already have to work...a friend who is already in residency told me that there is NO time to do anything besides work and study.

I think the term residency is correct here. I already have my first degree in law and will practice law under the supervision of a fully licensed lawyer in the next two years, first a judge then a prosecutor and then an attorney before writting an exam to get my second degree. I think that's how it's done in medical training in the USA, so you can compare it to that.

Anyway, if you wonder were Hanau is in good old Germany, it's about 15 miles east of Frankfurt! So visitors are welcome! LOL

[mysterytrain]

I'm jumping up and down excited for you, my friend! So thrilled you got where you wanted and your dreams are coming true!

[Hath]

Congratulations, Kris! I echo Mys (without the jumping -- i have bad knees lol)

[mbwl]

That's brilliant Kris :-)
Congrats good luck with the apartment hunting.

[Kris]

Thanks girls.

There is a little problem right now. I'm sick. Sick like in a can't talk!!! Very complicated to make phone calls right now.

Went to the dcotor yesterday, I think you could call it an acute pharyngitis. My throat is hurting like hell and the muscles next to it as well, can barely swallow, no voice, fever, feeling like a walking zombie.

I'm so mad at my body!!! For over a year I wasn't sick. Got through my exam without any problems and now, now when it's important again, it develops this great stupid something! Grrr!!

[mbwl]

Don't worry Kris you'll get better, soon.
Keep taking whatever meds the doctor gave you & look after yourself.
Mattie

[Hath]

Kris, it's all the stress of the last year manifesting itself. Follow Mattie's advice, and you'll be right as rain before you know it!

[Kris]

I went to Hanau yesterday. Five hour drive to get there. I had an appointment with a realtor. I thought maybe I can sign a contract for an apartment.

It was horrible!! You wouldn't believe what kinda apartments they showed me or better the intern(!) showed me! Small dirty ratholes, you can't call those places anything else. The area they were located in could easily be called the bar-area of the city. There was one with live music every night in the building where he showed me the first two apartments!!

The kitchens (or better what was left of it) were dirty as hell and it smelled terrible in all three places. One of it even had a damage in the bathroom, water-main burst and that guy told me I can move in right now! Excuse me?!!?!?!

When I asked the intern some questions he couldn't answer them and told that his boss-lady is not in the office anymore (Wednesday 1:30pm), because she always takes the afternoon off!

I couldn't believe it, I specifically told her that I'm coming from Lüneburg and will drive five hours to get to her...how in hell can you not be available then?? She could have offered me an other appointment Thursday or Friday, but she didn't! Stupid woman!!

So, after we recovered from looking at those apartments - especially my mom needed some time, her maternal instincts kicked in fully when she saw those places and even though I'm nearly 28 she got really forceful when my dad carefully suggested maybe we could take the "best" (and I use this very losely here) looking place and make something out of it; "My little girl will NOT, under NO circumstances live in one of this dirty, stinking holes! NO WAY!" - so, we walked into the next internet cafe and searched for other places, then my dad and I stood in a little park both on our cell phones and dialed number after number.

I was completely down by that time. I thought I'll never find a place to live till July 1st. But then my dad had a guy from a housing company (the only that exists in Hanau!) on the phone and he told him that they are renovating two blocks of apartment buildings right now and that as soon as one building is done, the six apartments in it are free to rent. He said he has something available right now and we could come over and look at it, because he is the whole day at the contruction side to answer question from the workers when there is a probable. The first smart person I met that day!

When we arrived we saw lots of workers running around and people already moving in into those buildings that were down. I talked to an older gentleman and he said it's pretty calm during the day, because the main renovation seems to be done just the painters, plumbers and electricians are left and that you don't even here the kids playing on the playground in the inner courtyard thanks to the new windows. He told me that there are supermarkets avaible and the bus stop is in the next street. I felt really comfortable there I have to say. I say lots of young families and you had the feeling they were really interested in a good neighborhood.

The apartment he showed me was great. It has two equally big rooms, a small, but clean and beautifully titled bathroom and a rather big kitchen with a small storage room and a soon to come big balcony (they were working on it that day).

The apartment is a little bit more expensive than I thought. It's about 50 Euro over the limit I had, I can pay it, but I will need to really hold my money together. My mom said not to worry though, my parents would continue their support for a while, which will be especially at the beginning when I have to buy new furniture a blessing.

So, I filled out the application form and reminded him how urgent it is for me to get an apartment and as soon as i was home last night after another five hour drive I sent him all the other papers via email that he'll need. I already know that he got them, because he sent me a short email a little while ago and promised to try to call later.

So, I keep my fingers crossed that I'll get an apartment.

[mbwl]

I delighted for you Kris, glad everything worked out well in the end.

[Hath]

Gah what a mess to start with, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on the new place!

[Kris]

I signed the contract for my new apartment today. I will get the keys on Thursday or Friday.

I'm so glad I have at least a place to live, now a work contract would be nice! Somehow this court is slow. *sigh* I think I can only wait...so not my style! ;D

[Hath]

YAY on the keys!!! Will keep fingers crossed for the other contract

[Kris]

Why? Why? Why?

What did I do to deserve this? It's fucking unbelievable! Ahhhhh!

A very nice lady from the housing company called today. She checked the apartment again to make sure everything is like it should be before I start my five hour drive tomorrow!

Wanna guess???

Yep, right! Apartment is NOT finished!

New date for getting the keys....June 27th!!!

That's four days before I start working! I'm gonna be so dead! No idea how we should get everything down there and build up all the furniture in four days. And I need electricity and internet and telephone...I'm screwed!!

[Hath]

Deep breath Kris.

You'll just be wicked tired You can probably pre-arrange for the utilities with a couple of phone calls. Putting the flat together in a few days will be more problematic, but if you can get your bed up, some clothes unpacked, and food in the fridge (or the #s of good take-away places), you can just do a box or two a day until it's done.

BREATHE!

[mbwl]

Kris,
Take Hath's advice 'BREATH' you'll be fine.
Internet, no problem; get Mobile WiFi
I agree bed & fridge first after that, just a little at a time. don't stress :-)
You'll be fine.

[Kris]

Ok, time to tell you about the latest news. Totally forgot that. The last days were just crazy.

I'm moving tomorrow!! I got the keys on Wednesday and already put some items in the apartment. I met some very nice craftsmen that were working on the electricity and in the bathroom when my dad and I arrived...they were surprised that the housing company or the architect in charge didn't tell them that I will move in on Saturday. The woman from the housing company somehow started to get beat red...seems they ain't really organized. She left rather fast after I got the keys. My dad and I talked a bit with the craftsmen to make sure we wouldn't place my stuff somewhere were they still needed to work. No need to make it more difficult to them. They were rather surprised about that, seems that most people were just pushing them around. I felt bad for them. They are already working 12 hours a day. 7 am to 7 pm! And only get home at the weekends to see their families. So I asked if it's really ok if I move in on Saturday and they said it'll be fine. The electrician told me when I give him one of my keys he will finish his part on Thursday (which is a holiday in that state) and the bath-guy promised to get everything done first thing on friday morning.

So, my dad and I will drive with a transporter and his car to Hanau tomorrow. I hope we won't get stuck in traffic jam again like Wednesday. I can really think of something better than spending my time on a highway for three hours without any driving!

Talk to you when I have access to the internet again. Hope it'll be soon.

Bye, bye...for now
Kris

[mbwl]

;D ;D
Great news you got your keys!!
Always be nice to the workmen, get them on your side & things get done. They are working hard 12 hrs!!
Good luck in your new apartment Kris.

[fivefivegenie]

Don't know you yet, Kris, but I just wanted to say I hope everything goes well with your move!

[Jon's gutter girl]

I'm a little late to this party....but...CONGRATS! Update us when you can!